Combat Vet Suing American Airlines For Rejecting PTSD Service Dog

Former Capt. Lisa McCombs is a veteran that served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is suing American Airlines for refusing to let her fly home with her service dog. She states that their crew refused to honor her tickets, publicly humiliated her repeatedly, and dragged the entire event out over the course of several days.

On October 25 2015 she was prevented from bringing her service dog, Jake, along with her on a flight out of Kansas. Jake and McCombs flew in together earlier that day at the very same airport but were prevented from leaving. McCombs’ experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2006 to 2008 have left her with severe PTSD and anxiety that Jake helps her cope with.

McCombs was prevented from flying with Jake despite having all of the necessary paperwork listed on American Airlines website and listing Jake on her reservations. American Airlines crew demanded she pay an additional $125 to have Jake flown home in the cargo hold or resubmit the paperwork via fax and wait two business days for approval.

When she was finally approved for flight American Airlines employees greeted her at her connecting flight, pushing a wheelchair, and calling out for a “disabled veteran.” They insisted on escorting her to her flight.

McCombs is suing American Airlines for emotional damage and the medical care and therapy needed to cope with the incident.

American Airlines has not yet commented on whether or not they plan to fight the suit.